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Summer is right around the corner. Although this is a favored season for many, it also can be an expensive one when the temperatures soar. Depending on the weather, your home, and your lifestyle, air conditioning costs can break the bank if you let it. One way to prevent outrageous energy bills is by scheduling an AC tune-up with PFO Heating & Air Conditioning.

Our NATE certified technicians have what it takes to get your air conditioner working optimally. In turn, our comprehensive tune-up service will lower your cooling costs because our technicians use a thorough air conditioner tune-up checklist. Also, when our technician services your AC unit, they can keep an eye out for any issues that are on the rise. You can repair them so that you aren’t left in the blazing heat without air conditioning! Be sure to schedule an appointment today.

Energy Saving Tips For Summer

Homeowners grumble when they receive their energy bills in the summer after turning on their air conditioners. Some go as far as living in less than ideal temperatures to avoid paying an arm and a leg for their home cooling costs. However, You can certainly feel comfortable in your home even in the peak of the summer heat. There are simple ways to achieve this. From installing a mini-split system to using energy efficient lighting solutions, here are some essential energy saving tips for summer.

Unwanted Heat

Unwanted heat in your home will cause your HVAC system to work longer and harder, increasing your cooling costs. For this reason, you should keep unwanted heat out of your home during the summer.

One of the things you can do to achieve this goal is to keep the difference between your indoor and outdoor temperature as small as possible. In other words, you have to set your thermostat higher than average. In fact, the US Department of Energy (DOE) recommends setting your thermostat 5° to 8° higher than usual whenever your home is unoccupied for eight hours or longer during the cooling season.

Additionally, you should invest in a smart/programmable thermostat to avoid the hassle of setting your thermostat temperature manually. You can enjoy the full benefits of keeping unwanted heat out of your home during the summer. The DOE says that a smart/programmable thermostat can lower your annual cooling costs by as much as $180.

Check Your Filters

Clogged and dirty filters are the leading causes of cooling system problems, according to HVAC experts. In particular, dirty filters allow particulate matter to get into your cooling system’s evaporator coil, impairing its heat-absorbing capacity.

When this happens, your cooling system will become energy inefficient, causing your cooling costs to rise. In fact, according to the DOE, clogged, dirty filters can increase your cooling costs by as much as 15%.

To avoid this problem, you should inspect your air filters at least once a month and replace them when they are dirty. Minimally, change them every two months.

Of course, in some cases, for instance, if you have a furry pet in your house, you may need to inspect and replace your filters more frequently. At this point, it is important to note that some filters are typically located within the duct system and they are hard to reach. Regardless, it is essential that you change out your filters and keep proper airflow.

Install Zoned Air Conditioning

If you do not need to cool your entire house, you should install a ductless mini-split system. Such a system will allow you to cool only specific areas in your home, thereby lowering your cooling costs. A mini-split system is efficient, relatively affordable, and easy to install. In fact, an experienced HVAC technician can install such a system in just a few hours.

Use Energy Efficient Light Bulbs

Compared to traditional incandescent light bulbs, modern lighting solutions such as LED and CFL light bulbs consume less electricity, produce less heat, and last longer. For these reasons, you should replace your incandescent light bulbs with modern, energy efficient lighting solutions to lower your energy costs.

Use A Ceiling Fan

Although a ceiling fan doesn’t actually cool a room, it creates a wind-chill effect. It makes the area feel about six or seven degrees cooler. Therefore, by using a ceiling fan, you can set your thermostat temperature a few degrees higher. This is a great way to stay comfortable while paying less on your energy bills.

Schedule An AC Tune-Up

One of the most important aspects of lowering your home cooling costs is having an energy efficient air conditioner. Like all machinery, an AC system needs maintenance to run correctly. HVAC manufacturers and experts recommend that you schedule an AC tune-up on an annual basis. The best time to do this is in the spring, right before the summer heat arrives. Also, you can benefit from scheduling in the spring because many heating and cooling companies offer AC tune-up specials.

A tune-up ensures that all of the system’s parts are working. The professional heating and cooling technician will clean and lubricate the unit. Also, they will inspect your AC for any issues that may be on the rise. Doing so gives you the opportunity to repair a minor problem before it has a chance to escalate into a bigger and more expensive one. By tuning up your system, it will work at peak efficiency, consume less energy, and therefore, lower your cooling costs.

Conclusion

Use the energy-saving tips for summer discussed above to reduce your cooling costs. Furthermore, your home will feel much more comfortable.

When searching Google for a “home AC tune-up near me” because you need to schedule maintenance services for your HVAC system, call PFO Heating & Air Conditioning. Our trained and experienced technicians will get your air conditioner working correctly so that you can count on it all summer long. Call today to schedule an appointment.